idea means an abstract archetype of a given thing, compared to which real-life examples are seen as imperfect approximations; pure essence, as opposed to actual examples. It carries an Arena rating of 1515, earned across 2 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, idea ranks #2,396 of 17,052 for Most Storied Words, #2,759 of 17,052 for Most Sublime Words, #2,866 of 17,052 for Most Beautiful Words, #7,978 of 17,052 for Most Exacting Words.
idea is pronounced /aɪ̯ˈdɪə̯/.
Why “idea” is a great word
A conception or mental representation of something in its perfect or essential form. From Late Latin idea, from Greek idéā ('form, pattern, notion'), from ideîn ('to see'). Unlike 'image,' which fixes on a specific visual or mental picture, or 'story,' which unfolds as a sequence of events, an idea is the abstract principle, the architecture underlying both. It is the notion of justice that precedes any courtroom scene, the concept of melody that haunts the composer before a single note is sounded, the ideal of a circle held perfectly in the intellect while the hand draws only clumsy approximations—the luminous ghost in the machine of the world.
noun
- An abstract archetype of a given thing, compared to which real-life examples are seen as imperfect approximations; pure essence, as opposed to actual examples.
- The conception of someone or something as representing a perfect example; an ideal.
- The form or shape of something; a quintessential aspect or characteristic.e.g.“The remembrance whereof (which yet I beare deepely imprinted in my minde) representing me her visage and Idea so lively and so naturally, doth in some sort reconcile me unto her.”
- An image of an object that is formed in the mind or recalled by the memory.e.g.“The mere idea of you is enough to excite me.”
- More generally, any result of mental activity; a thought, a notion; a way of thinking.
- A conception in the mind of something to be done; a plan for doing something, an intention.e.g.“I have an idea of how we might escape.”
- A purposeful aim or goal; intent.e.g.“Yeah, that's the idea.”
- A vague or fanciful notion; a feeling or hunch; an impression.e.g.“He had the wild idea that if he leant forward a little, he might be able to touch the mountain-top.”
- A musical theme or melodic subject.
Words closest in meaning
By meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.
- eidolon 66% match — An image or representation of an idea; a representation of an ideal form; an apparition of some actual or imaginary entity, or of some aspect of reality. vs idea →
- ideahood 65% match — The property or state of being an idea. vs idea →
- concept 61% match — An abstract and general idea; an abstraction. vs idea →
- ideatic 60% match — Ideational. vs idea →
- nonidea 59% match — That which is not an idea. vs idea →
- image 59% match — A visual or other representation of the external form of something in art. vs idea →
- ideoglyph 58% match — A symbol expressing an idea. vs idea →
- idée 57% match — Idea, occurring only in certain set phrases which are borrowings from French vs idea →